The present invention relates to mining machines. Specifically, the present invention relates to a service tool for a cutting bit assembly of a mining machine.
Conventional continuous mining and entry development machines include a cutter head including multiple cutting bit assemblies. In some embodiments, each cutting bit assembly includes a bit holder block coupled to a rotating drum. A water spray nozzle is positioned within the bit holder block, and the bit holder block includes a passage for providing water to the spray nozzle. The bit holder block also includes a slot for receiving a sleeve. The sleeve includes an outer surface engaging the slot of the bit holder block, and also includes a bore for receiving a cutting bit.
In one aspect, a tool is provided for installing and removing a bit sleeve with respect to a bore of a bit block. The bit sleeve includes a shank and a bore for receiving a bit. The bit block bore defines a bore width. The tool includes an actuator assembly, a rod, a first nut, and a second nut. The actuator assembly includes a cylinder and a ram. The cylinder includes an internal chamber supporting the ram and configured to be in fluid communication with a fluid source. The cylinder includes a first end, a second end, and a reaction surface positioned proximate the first end. The reaction surface is configured to contact an end of the sleeve. The ram is movable relative to the cylinder and positioned adjacent the second end of the cylinder. The actuator assembly includes a bore extending through the cylinder and the ram. The rod includes a first end and a second end, and defines a rod axis extending between the first end and the second end. The rod extends through the bore of the actuator assembly, and a portion of the rod is configured to extend through the bore of the bit sleeve such that the first end is positioned adjacent an end surface of the shank. The second end of the rod is positioned adjacent the ram. The first nut is selectively coupled to one of the first end of the rod and the second end of the rod. The first nut defines a first dimension configured to be larger than the bore width of the bit block. The second nut is selectively coupled to the other of the first end of the rod and the second end of the rod, and the second nut defines a second dimension configured to be less than the bore width.
In another aspect, a method is provided for installing a bit sleeve into a bore of a bit block. The bit sleeve includes a first end, a second end, a shank positioned proximate the first end of the sleeve, and a bore extending from the first end to the second end. The bore of the bit block has a bore width. The method includes: inserting a first end of the rod through the sleeve bore and through the bore of the bit block; threading a first nut onto the first end of the rod such that the first nut engages a surface of the bit block, the first nut having a dimension that is larger than the bore width of the bit block; threading a second nut onto the second end of the rod such that the second nut engages a ram of an actuator assembly, the second nut releasably securing the ram against movement relative to the rod along a rod axis in at least a first direction; applying fluid pressure on the ram; and contacting the second end of the sleeve with a reaction surface to move the sleeve in a second direction along the rod axis and into the bore of the bit block.
In yet another aspect, a method is provided for removing a bit sleeve from a bore of a bit block. The bit sleeve includes a first end, a second end, a shank positioned proximate the first end of the sleeve, and a bore extending from the first end to the second end. The bore of the bit block having a bore width. The method includes: inserting a first end of the rod through the sleeve bore and through the bore of the bit block; threading a first nut onto the first end of the rod such that the first nut engages a surface of the bit block, the first nut having a dimension that is smaller than the bore width of the bit block; threading a second nut onto the second end of the rod such that the second nut engages a ram of an actuator assembly, the second nut releasably securing the ram against movement relative to the rod along a rod axis in at least a first direction; applying fluid pressure on the ram; and contacting an end of the shank with the first nut to move the sleeve in the first direction along the rod axis and out of the bore of the bit block.
In still another aspect, a tool is provided for moving a bit sleeve relative to a bore of a bit block. The bit sleeve includes a shank and a bore for receiving a bit. The bore of the bit block defines a bore width. The service tool includes an actuator assembly, a rod, at least one nut, and at least one elongated arm. The actuator assembly includes a cylinder and a ram. The cylinder includes an internal chamber supporting the ram, the internal chamber configured to be in fluid communication with a fluid source. The cylinder includes a first end and a second end. The ram is movable relative to the cylinder and positioned adjacent the second end of the cylinder. The actuator assembly includes a bore extending through the cylinder and the ram. The rod includes a first end and a second end, and the rod defines a rod axis extending between the first end and the second end. The rod extends through the bore of the actuator assembly. A portion of the rod is configured to extend through the bore of the bit sleeve such that the first end is positioned adjacent an end surface of the shank. The second end of the rod is positioned adjacent the ram. The at least one nut is selectively coupled to one of the first end of the rod and the second end of the rod. The at least one elongated arm extends in a direction parallel to the rod axis. The at least one arm is positioned proximate the first end of the cylinder and is rotatable relative to the cylinder about the rod axis.
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “mounted,” “connected” and “coupled” are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mounting, connecting and coupling. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings, and can include electrical or hydraulic connections or couplings, whether direct or indirect. Also, electronic communications and notifications may be performed using any known means including direct connections, wireless connections, etc.
The boom 22 includes one end pivotably coupled to the frame 14 and another end supporting the cutter head 26. The boom 22 is pivotable about a pivot axis 54 that is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the frame 14. The boom 22 is pivoted by a pair of actuators 58 that are coupled between the frame 14 and the boom 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuators 58 are hydraulic jacks or cylinders.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The sleeve 78 further includes a shank portion 106 positioned within the bore 150 of the holder block 82. The shank portion 106 is inserted until the abutment surface 118 engages the front end surface 134 of the holder block 82. In one embodiment, the shank portion 106 is press fit within the holder block bore 150 and is further secured relative to the holder block 82 by a retaining ring or clip 194 (
Referring again to
In the illustrated embodiment, the holder block 82 includes a first or rear or upper recess 182a and a second or forward or lower recess 182b. A fluid spray nozzle (not shown) may be positioned within each recess 182a, 182b. Each nozzle discharges fluid (e.g., water) in the form of a spray envelope that encompasses or covers an outer surface of the bit 74 proximate the tip 88. As shown in
The holder block 82 includes passages for providing fluid to the nozzles. As shown in
As best shown in
The rod 218 extends through the bore 228 such that a first end 218a is positioned adjacent the outer surface 228 of the ram 222 and a second end 218b is positioned adjacent the reaction surface 216. The rod 218 defines an axis 224. The tool 210 further includes a first nut 230 threadingly coupled to one end of the rod 218 and a second nut 234 threadingly coupled to an opposite end of the rod 218. In the illustrated embodiment, the rod 218 is removably coupled to the ram 22 by positioning the rod 218 in the bore 229 and threading one of the nuts 230, 234 onto the first end 218a of the rod 218 to engage the outer surface 228 of the ram 222. This engagement releasably secures the rod 218 against movement independent of the ram 222 in at least one direction along the rod axis 224.
In the illustrated embodiment, the first nut 230 has an outer dimension or diameter larger than the width or diameter of the holder block bore 150. The second nut 234 has an outer dimension or diameter that is smaller than the width or diameter of the bore 150, or no greater than the outer diameter of the shank portion 106. The first nut 230 and the second nut 234 may be selectively coupled to either end of the rod 218, but the nuts 230, 234 are not coupled to the same end during operation. In particular, the nut that is threaded onto the first end 218a of the rod 218 secured the rod 218 relative to the ram 222, such that the rod 218 moves with the ram 222 when it extends due to fluid pressure in the internal chamber 226.
The tool 210 also includes a swivel assembly 238 rotatably coupled to the end of the cylinder 214 proximate the reaction surface 216. The swivel assembly 238 includes a hub 242, a first arm 246, and a second arm 250. The hub 242 is coupled to the reaction surface 216 and secured against movement along the rod axis 224 by a retainer 244 (e.g., a snap ring) engaging a recess of the hub 242. The hub 242 can rotate about the rod axis 224 relative to the reaction surface 216. The hub 242 extends around the reaction surface 216. In the illustrated embodiment, the arms 246, 250 are coupled to an outer perimeter of the hub 242, and the first arm 246 is longer than the second arm 250. The arms 246, 250 extend in a direction parallel to the axis 224 and are positioned on opposite sides of the axis 224 such that the arms 246, 250 are spaced apart by an angle of 180 degrees about the axis 224. In other embodiments, the swivel assembly 238 may include fewer or more arms 246, the arms 246 may have different shapes and/or relative lengths, and/or the arms 246 may be arranged in a different manner relative to the axis 224.
Referring to
Referring to
The rod 218 can be easily uncoupled from the actuator cylinder 214 and the ram 222 by unthreading a nut from the first end 218a. As a result, the rod 218 can be inserted into the sleeve 78 and the bore of the block and threaded with one of the nuts 230, 234 without requiring the user to handle and align the entire tool to prepare for the installation or extraction processes. The cylinder 214 and ram 222 can simply slide over the rod 218 and secured with a nut threaded onto the first end 218a. In addition, the ability to rotate the arms 246, 250 provides versatility and ease of use for the tool 10.
The ram 222 and cylinder 214 of the tool 210 are single-acting in that pressurized fluid moves the ram 222 is one direction only relative to the cylinder 214 (e.g. to an extended position relative to the cylinder 214), and the ram 222 returns to its initial position under the biasing force of the spring 217. In other embodiments, the tool 210 may include a double-acting piston and cylinder device.
Although the cutting bit assembly 66 has been described above with respect to a continuous mining machine, it is understood that the cutting bit assembly 66 could be incorporated onto various types of cutter heads and various types of mining machines including, but not limited to, entry development machines and longwall shearers.
Although certain aspects have been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects as described.
This application claims the benefit of prior-filed, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/050,425, filed Sep. 15, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
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